Raise your hand if you are here....

Greetings all! I will admit it, I am a lurker. I check out numerous blogs and never post a message. Mostly because I am embarrassed about how many blogs I read. Ha! But, also because I always felt that the person would think I was weird since I didn't know them. Now that I have my own blog, I see how easy it is to come across thousands of other blogs and rarely do the visitors know the author. The boys and I are going to start recording, on a map, the different locations people visit from. They are excited to check the blog each day and will take turns recording it with stick pins on a map. Even if you think I know where you live, please comment and leave your city and state (or just state and general region of north, south, east, west if you are nervous I will hunt you down). I am going to let the boys log-in and record everything. Thanks for joining. And hey...thanks for visiting! LB

Oscar Haircuts

I have cut my kids' hair for years. I think since birth, minus about a year when I did take them to my salon. Connor's cowlick scared me and I was afraid if I attempted to cut his hair, I would be very, very sorry. So, for a year I took them in for their cuts. I like the convenience of being able to cut their hair when I want to (night before a choir concert, before a family get together, etc). Of course, I like the cost saving too. When I first starting cutting their hair I did it all with a scissors. I was scared of a razor. But after watching my hairdresser use it on them for that year (she never did get annoyed with my nose inches from her shoulder watching every move she made, absorbing it all), I knew I need not be scared of that little machine. Now, I razor the back and by the ear and use a scissors on most of the side and top. So, I decided with the money I was saving by cutting their hair myself, I would invest in some nicer tools. I bought a nice scissors and two razors; one for the side/back and one for trim work. This was NOT without much trial and error...I took back a couple of razors before finding one that actually worked and cut super close. Today was haircut day in the house. Which my kids hate, by the way. You would think they would be thrilled their mother was doing this job for them instead of requiring they get dressed, get hauled out of the house, wait for their turn at the salon, etc...BUT NO! They complain and moan when it's haircut day....little hairy turds.I figured it was Oscar night. My kids needed to look good. Yeah, they didn't buy it either. Here is the before of the kids taken on Valentine's Day with their enemy...their hairdresser. Two Sasquatches, if you ask me. This is some of the bloody carcass: And this is the final result: Look at this cowlick, in all it's glory. I just decided to go with it and unleash it. Don't fight it! Let it flap in the wind. Let it flutter like his own little flag...."flag of Connor". Let it speak to the people. Because the scissors are so dang sharp, I cut myself every time. And it's not like I am slipping, it's just that the tip of the scissors hits my finger and leaves the tiniest little cuts....like a million little minute paper cuts (can you imagine the agony?) that start to hurt about an hour after I am done. So, today this is what I did... ....worked like a charm. That's not my finger hair, by the way. It's their hair. Stuck on the band aid. I swear. Not that there is anything wrong with hairy fingers. Especially if you have some... Another job accomplished. Peace out Peeps. LB

10 Things I love and admire about my Mother-in-Law

#10. For 12 years she has made me feel more like a daughter than a daughter-in-law even though she has a daughter of her own. #9. She accepted me into the family with her whole heart even though my relationship with her son moved very quickly. #8. Her marriage to my father-in-law was one of the most solid I have known. I loved hearing them laugh together. #7. Her silliness and how she picks up my kids and loves on them makes my heart happy. #6. Even in the midst of being treated poorly by family, she proudly holds her place, with her head held high, each and every time. #5. She has given me the freedom to go to work and not be stressed about the care my children are receiving. This is something I can never repay her for, not in a million years. #4. Her ability to persevere and again find love in her life with someone that has been a wonderful addition to our family, is a blessing. #3. The respect she has shown my relationship to her son makes her a horrible subject for Mother-in-law jokes. #2. She places my own parents high on her list of family. #1. She raised a son with values and qualities that make him the best husband and father I could ever ask for. Thanks, Cindy, for being an amazing second mom to me! I love you! **** Having trouble uploading pictures through blogspot. Check back!

Sweet Lemony Blog Award

My lovely friend Jessica nominated me for the Sweet Lemony Blog Award! Thank-you Jessica. Hope I don't mess this up. Here are the official rules of the game... 1. Put the logo on your blog post. 2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude. 3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. 4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. 5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award. I nominate: 1. Erin at The Vintage Pearl. I came across Erin's blog while googling something about photography. Not only is she a great photographer, but she also makes gorgeous jewelry. I proudly wear one of her creations! Did I mention her kids are GORGEOUS? 2. Stacey at Fourguysandagal . I first met Stacey back in 2003 when I was lucky to have her as my long term substitute when I had Connor. We now work in the same middle school, and she too has a Connor along with 2 other sweet, sweet boys. 3. Jessica at theovermans.I met Jessica first when she long termed for Stacey (above). Jessica is a wonderful person and has the most beautiful baby girl, Jordyn. Unfortunately she moved to Sioux Falls. Thank goodness for blogs! 4. Cristen at Days to Remember. I met Cristen in a chat room! It was a chat room for mothers and our relationship has turned into one I cherish. I had the most fantastic weekend with her and three other moms I met through this chat room in Chicago last summer. She has two girls the same ages (basically) as mine and it's fun to compare boys vs. girls. 5. Ree at The Pioneer Woman. I came across this blog searching for someone that had the same camera as me. I love this woman. She has no idea who I am because she gets upwards of 10,000 hits a day. She is an amazing photographer, cook, and mom. I love her whole site. 6. Tertia at So Close. Again, Tertia has no idea who I am, but I came across her blog while searching for information about infertility and twins. She lives in South Africa and is quite hilarious. 7. Christie at These Are a Few of My Favorite Things. I have no idea how I came across her blog. But, she is a very good writer (always lots of humor) and I just find myself going back to see what's new with her and her kids. 8. Tobie and Eric at Chasing Babies. Again, not sure how I fell into this blog, but I got sucked in. The posts are very witty and real. They just had their fourth baby, Owen, and I am in awe of their energy. 9. Heather at Faithful Froggers. Heather lost a child to cancer and I have read her blog for 5 years. She is an amazing writer and an advocate for not only her child, but thousands of others suffering from childhood cancers. And here is where I might mess this up....that's all I have to post and the rules clearly state that you need to do at least 10. I hope it doesn't mean I mess this up for everyone else.

My mom

I had conferences yesterday, last night, and tonight at my school. It always makes for a long day/night with me getting home at around 7:45 at night, seeing my kids for 15 minutes before putting them to bed, and starting job #2 of getting clothes and lunches ready for school the next day. My mom stayed with the boys on Monday. They did not have school because the elementary buildings had conferences as well. She got here bright and early in the morning (and she is not a morning person), and spent the day being my mom. She did my laundry. Now, when I say did I mean she washed it, dried it, folded it meticulously, and put most of it away (a few items she wasn't sure about). She even washed and remade Noah's sheets for his bed. She made all the beds. (Yes, I confess I don't make them most days) and fluffed all the pillows. The sheets have never laid as nicely and evenly. I hated to even mess them up to go to bed. (But I did, trust me) She picked up my house and I swear everything looks cleaner, even though she couldn't have had time to clean it. She took the kids sledding, and even though there was one minor mishap.... ....the kids had a blast. She made a spaghetti dinner here at our house so Mike didn't have to make supper when he got home from work. And to top it all off....she sat at our house today for the THREE hour span of time the furniture store gives you when they are delivering furniture. Her exact words to me, "I will arrange things for you." I didn't doubt it for one second, mom. I have the best mom. Seriously, I don't know how people do it without their moms. She helps me SOO much and goes above and beyond. She didn't have to do all those extra things for me, but she did. And I love her for it! I wish she could come everyday. My mom and I spend time without the kids too. We shop, have coffee, see movies. She's fun and always willing to go and do whatever. It's the one thing I will miss not having a daughter....having an older daughter to hang with. I love you mom! Thanks for being there for my family. This week, and every week! Here is our new furniture: For the record, My mother-in-law is FABULOUS as well. Her post coming soon. I am so lucky!